Integral care for pregnant adolescents: impact on offspring.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2008

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of integral support on the health of children of adolescent mothers and their children.

METHODS: A prospective study involving 50 adolescent mothers, who had frequent meetings with a multi-professional group throughout pregnancy. After birth, medical followup was provided to mother and child.

RESULTS: Mean schooling proved higher than the national average. After follow-up, the rate of return to education was 24%. These adolescents had good social network support from both family and father of the child. They considered themselves good mothers and felt happier after maternity experience. Adolescents demonstrated a responsible sex life involving family planning and correct use of contraception, yielding extremely low levels of repeat pregnancy. Of the mothers, 48% were employed, working, earning a mean monthly salary of 150% minimum wage. The children of mothers followed by were breastfed longer and had greater vaccination cover than the average for São Paulo State.

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that our program promotes education of adolescents and their children; demonstrates the importance of a social support network through the family of the young mother and father of the child; fosters positive maternal social model addressing self-esteem and responsibility; informs mothers on contraception and encourages a responsible sex life, baby care, vaccination, and maternal breastfeeding.

Volume

20

Issue

4

First Page

537

Last Page

546

ISSN

0334-0139

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

PubMedID

19230454

Department(s)

Department of Pediatrics

Document Type

Article

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS